Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas May 31, 2012 - 05/31/12 11:09 AM
Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas
This is weekly feature post I will now do every Thursday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and around the Napa Valley. This way readers have a little more time to plan to attend one of these events. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
May 31 - June 3 -- Auction Napa Valley Auction, Benefit: Four glorious days of incredible wine and food. Insider's access to the cool cellars and warm hospitality of renowned Napa Valley vintners. Your choice of dozens of parties, each hosted by … (4 comments)

St Helena, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update May 30, 2012 - 05/30/12 08:50 AM
St Helena, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 3, price reduced 3, sale pending 3,  sold 0
Average prices, average days on market
current for sale           85 avg price $3,686,567; avg days on market 161
current sale pendings  13  avg price $1,153,723; avg days on market 159
sold in last 6 months   38 med price $1,453,642; avg days on market 170
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings
656 Deer Park Rd, $1,100,000, 3 br 4 ba, 3,161 sf, 1.4 acres
851 Silverado Trl,  $3,495,000, 2 br … (4 comments)

Calistoga, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update May 29, 2012 - 05/29/12 10:21 AM
Calistoga, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update
Stats for last 7 days new listing 2, price reduced 2, sale pending 1,  sold 0
Average prices, average days on market
current for sale             38   avg price $2,094479; avg days on market 201
current sale pendings  11  avg price $1,051,536; avg days on market 177
sold in last 6 months    27 avg price $698,852; avg days on market 236
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings
[idx-listing mlsnumber="21212921" showlocation="true"]
Calistoga home, $1,595,000, 4 br 4 ba, 2,750 … (2 comments)

Have credit issues, here are a few tips to improve your score - 05/28/12 07:34 AM
How to pump up your credit score
To avoid another real estate bubble, many lenders have tightened their mortgage requirements.  According to a report by the Federal Reserve, a majority of banks are less likely to offer loans to people with a FICO score of 620 and a 10 percent down payment than they were in 2006.  Lenders were also less likely to do so even for those with a score of 720.  The good news though is there are some tactics that consumers can employ to raise their scores.
First, it is worth noting that median credit scores are rising, … (4 comments)

Napa Valley Real Estate Sales January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012 - 05/27/12 09:28 AM
Napa Valley First Quarter 2012 Real Estate Sales
… (1 comments)

Napa Valley Open Houses Sunday May 27, 2012 - 05/26/12 10:43 AM
Napa Valley Open Houses Sunday 
This is a new feature I will do every Saturday for those wanting info on open homes in the Napa Valley. For those wanting a map and more details, here is the link to the Napa Register’s open house page.

… (2 comments)

Yountville, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update May 26, 2012 - 05/26/12 10:33 AM
Yountville, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 2, price reduced 1, sale pending 0,  sold 1
Average prices, average days on market
current for sale           16 avg price $709,925; avg days on market 127
current sale pendings  2  avg price $503,050; avg days on market 171
sold in last 6 months    9 avg price $677,500; avg days on market 147
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings
[idx-listing mlsnumber="21212558" showlocation="true"]
[idx-listing mlsnumber="21212300" showlocation="true"]
Price Reductions
[idx-listing mlsnumber="21203593" showlocation="true"]
Sale Pendings none
Solds
1865 Heritage Way, … (2 comments)

More Bank of American news from the recent lawsuit settlement as to loan modifications for homeowners - 05/25/12 11:55 AM
BofA extends modification offers
Bank of America Home Loans has begun reaching out to customers who may be eligible for forgiveness of a portion of the principal balance on their mortgage under terms of a recent settlement among five major banks, 49 state attorneys general, and the federal government.
The first letters in a targeted outreach to more than 200,000 potential candidates for this assistance are arriving in homes this week; most of the letters will be mailed by the third quarter of this year. The bank estimates average monthly savings of 30 percent on mortgage payments of customers who qualify … (2 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville & Surrounding Napa Valley May 24, 2012 - 05/24/12 11:47 AM
Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas 
May 24 -- Chateauneuf du Pape Tasting @ Back Room WinesWine Tasting: Back Room Wines pours a flight of four Chateauneuf du Pape red wines on this Thursday evening. Travel to this world-class wine region via wine glass, and see what all the fuss is about. Compare, contrast and enjoy four world-class "CdPs," and take some home with you! No reservations required. 1000 Main Street, Shop 120, Napa CA 94559Fee: $25 Time: 5pm-8pm Phone Number: 707-226-1378  
May 24 -- Celebrate Chardonnay Day at CosentinoCelebration: Join us as we celebrate Chardonnay day. Taste an assortment of our Chardonnays paired up with delightful accompaniments. … (8 comments)

Considerations in Buying Rental Property in Yountville or Napa Valley - 05/22/12 08:42 AM
Important things to consider when purchasing rental property in Yountville and the Napa Valley
Via Realtor.com, I read a post from BiggerPockets.com about Factors to Consider when Choosing a Market for Real Estate  Investment. They listed the three below as being the most important. However, one which they left out I would have to consider at the top of my list, LOCATION.
1.) Employment and Job Growth. In my  opinion, monthly cash flow is great, but I would only invest in a market if  there is an opportunity for long term growth as well. Historically, the markets  with steady appreciation and population growth do so as a result of strong job  growth. … (3 comments)

Yount St Glass, a Unique Business Making Jewelry from old Wine Bottles - 05/21/12 08:01 AM
I just recovered a fun Yountville business called Yount Street Glass from reading "out & about" by Lois Riker in the Yountville Sun. You can read some of the front pages from the Yountville Sun from the link below or the link on my Home Page. If you want to read Lois' column every week, and get the latest "out & about" the Town, you will need to get a subscription and can do so from this link, Yountville Sun Front Pages.
Here are a few examples of the artwork created by Kay Lafranconi & Cynthia Kapjian, see their bios below.
Silver bracelet Yount … (5 comments)

Do you like brunching? Here are Napa Valley hot spots to do so - 05/20/12 09:55 AM
Ian White does it again. His article, The 7 Best Bruches In Napa Valley, highlights several good and fun places to eat here in the Valley.
Napa Valley brunch spots
One I would like to add to his list is my favorite, Bistro Don Giovanni. Granted it has been one of the top places to eat here for a long time and every time I eat there it is packed. The food has always been very very good and it is a excellent value compared to many other eateries here. The same can be said about the Rutherford Grill in Rutherford, if you can get in, and Pacific Blues Cafe in Yountville, … (8 comments)

Napa Valley Open Houses Sunday May 20, 2012 - 05/19/12 12:34 PM
Napa Valley Open Houses Sunday 
This is a new feature I will do every Saturday for those wanting info on open homes in the Napa Valley. For those wanting a map and more details, here is the link to the Napa Register’s open house page.


 
… (2 comments)

Yountville, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update May 19, 2012 - 05/19/12 12:30 PM
Yountville, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 0, price reduced 2, sale pending 1,  sold 0
Average prices, average days on market
current for sale           14 avg price $663,486; avg days on market 138
current sale pendings  5  avg price $636,220; avg days on market 119
sold in last 6 months    9 avg price $558,333; avg days on market 149
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none
Price Reductions
1923 Oak Cir, $575,000, 2 br 1 ba, 915 sf, townhome
Yountville home, $585,800, 3 … (0 comments)

Should you accept the first offer you receive when selling your home - 05/18/12 09:06 AM

Most real estate professionals agree that the first offer sellers receive on their home is usually the best offer. Of course, this isn’t true in every situation, but there are reasons why agents believe this, and why they often suggest that sellers either accept the first offer or at least give it serious consideration. Buyers in the real estate market usually start off slowly by going to a few open houses, checking out prices online, and doing their homework.  They may even make first contact with an agent to assess what the agent thinks about the state of the local … (4 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas May 17, 2012 - 05/17/12 11:55 AM
Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas
This is weekly feature post I will now do every Thursday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and around the Napa Valley. This way readers have a little more time to plan to attend one of these events. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
May 18 -- Pride and Joy @ Uptown TheatreLive Music: During its 25 years of phenomenal success, Pride & Joy has remained the most popular band on the Bay Area music scene. This group is the Pride of the Bay Area … (5 comments)

Feel your property taxes are too high, here's some tips to lower them - 05/16/12 08:00 AM
Despite home prices in major urban centers decreasing 31 percent between 2005 and 2009, property taxes across the U.S. increased by nearly 20 percent. There is good news, however; homeowners can fight back.
Making sense of the story
Homeowners should keep in mind that property taxes do not always correspond with home values, because local governments typically don’t measure values every year and some have limits on annual property-tax increases. As a result, current property taxes might reflect the home’s value when the market was healthier.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, property-tax adjustments lag behind changes in home prices by an average of three years. Although homeowners cannot change … (7 comments)

Napa Valley and California Real Estate Fast Facts May 15, 2012 - 05/15/12 08:47 AM
Napa Valley and California Real Estate Fast Facts including short sales and bank owned (REO)
Napa County Residential Properties including condos/townhomes/manufactured homes (Source: BAREIS)
Listed for sale (475): lowest $55,000, highest $29,500,000, average price $1,598,723, median price $779,000, DOM 157 Contingent sale pending (347): lowest $62,500, highest $10,300,000, average price $453,955, median price $325,500, DOM 141 Sale pending (103): lowest $49,900, highest $1,995,000, average price $424,481, median price $329,000, DOM 97 Sold last 6 months (689):  lowest $38,500, highest $11,000,000, average price $498,387, median price $335,000 DOM 117 Total of all categories above: 1,614; 459 are short sales 28.4%; 260 are REO 16.1%; total … (3 comments)

Have a valuation dispute with Bank of American, maybe now there is some help - 05/15/12 08:30 AM
Short Sale Soundoff: BofA refines process for valuation disputes
Bank of America has refined the process for settling valuation disputes during a short sale.
The value of a property is established by independent third-party vendors shortly after a short sale is initiated. Occasionally, however, a listing agent may wish to contest that value. When that occurs, there is now a revised process for reconsidering the value.
Process Steps
Tell your short sale specialist that you would like a reconsideration of the value. Receive an investor-specific, easy-to-complete form from your short sale specialist that specifies all requirements for a successful value dispute. … (5 comments)

Thinking about refinancing again? Here are some tips to see if makes economic sense - 05/14/12 07:22 AM
When to refinance again Those who refinanced their mortgages a year or so ago, when interest rates averaged just below 5 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate loan, may be wondering whether it’s time to refinance yet again now that rates are at least a full percentage point lower.
Making sense of the story
As of Thursday, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey, the average rate on a 30-year loan was 3.83 percent, down from 4.63 percent a year ago, setting a record low. According to financial planners, homeowners considering refinancing first should delve into their financial goals, specifically the length of … (10 comments)

St Helena, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update May 13, 2012 - 05/13/12 10:49 AM
St Helena, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 6, price reduced 2, sale pending 3, sold 2
Average prices, average days on market
current for sale 82 avg price $3,413,220; avg days on market 161
current sale pendings 12 avg price $1,052,742; avg days on market 208
sold in last 6 months 39 med price $1,608,933; avg days on market 170
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings
1648 Scott St, $845,000, 3 br 2 ba, 1,250 sf
St Helena home, $1,300,000, 2 br … (0 comments)

Napa Valley Open Houses Sunday May 13, 2012, Happy Mother's Day - 05/12/12 06:26 AM
Napa Valley Open Houses Sunday 
This is a new feature I will do every Saturday for those wanting info on open homes in the Napa Valley. For those wanting a map and more details, here is the link to the Napa Register’s open house page.
Napa Valley open houses Sunday May 13 … (2 comments)

Yountville, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update May 12, 2012 - 05/12/12 06:22 AM
Yountville, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 1, price reduced 0, sale pending 0,  sold 0
Average prices, average days on market
current for sale           13 avg price $694,338; avg days on market 154
current sale pendings  5  avg price $576,220; avg days on market 73
sold in last 6 months    9 avg price $558,333; avg days on market 149
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings
6667 Yount St, $1,585,000, 3 br 3 ba, 2,198 sf
Price Reductions none
Sale Pendings none
Solds none
… (0 comments)

Some good advice to help you avoid mortgage relief scams - 05/11/12 09:47 AM
Avoiding mortgage relief scams
The offers seem like answers to the prayers of a struggling homeowner: A promise of legal tactics to forestall foreclosure, reduce mortgage balances and interest rates, or restore credit.  But these so-called mass joinder lawsuits being advertising in mailings are fraudulent – sent out by companies purporting to be law firms, according to a consumer alert by the Federal Trade Commission’s (F.T.C.) website.
Consumers can lose valuable time to these dishonest players – not to mention money.  The nonprofit Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law estimates that homeowners nationwide who reported scams to its database have … (2 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas May 10, 2012 - 05/10/12 11:54 AM
Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas
This is weekly feature post I will now do every Thursday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and around the Napa Valley. This way readers have a little more time to plan to attend one of these events. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
May 11 -- Cooking Class and Farmers Market TourFood Education: Cooking with Julie. We meet at St. Helena's farmers market to purchase our provisions, visit a winery for a private tasting and then back to the kitchen for a hands-on … (1 comments)

Calistoga, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update May 8, 2012 - 05/08/12 09:33 AM
Calistoga, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update
Stats for last 7 days new listing 2, price reduced 1, sale pending 1,  sold 0
Average prices, average days on market
current for sale            40 avg price $2,162,323; avg days on market 218
current sale pendings  12  avg price $989,075; avg days on market 182
sold in last 6 months    24 avg price $637,359; avg days on market 217
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings
Calistoga home, $649,000, 2 br 2 ba, 1,782 sf, 4.9 acres
1252 Mitzi … (3 comments)

Finally, proof about how long it takes to get short sale approval from lenders - 05/08/12 09:11 AM
Finally, proof about how long it takes to get short sale approval from lenders from C.A.R. Newsline. Are Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's new guidelines, which take effect June 15, possible given their performance to date? These loan providers will then have 30 days to review and respond to short sale offers or requests,  If they need more than 30 days, they must provide the borrower weekly updates and a final response within 60 days. So I guess there will be many such updates going out.
Short Sale Soundoff: Lenders with fastest short sale response times
RealtyTrac has compiled a list … (5 comments)

Yountville, the epicurean heart of Napa Valley, once again has pizza - 05/06/12 09:30 AM
Yountville, the epicurean heart of Napa Valley, once again has pizza
Yountville will soon have three pizzerias, the most of any Napa Valley City
In the beginning there was only Mama Ninas. It was the perfect place being the first to do a great Italian style pizza in the Napa Valley, the best calamari and a bottle of Alexander Valley Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon for $8. Throw in Howard Lane, an infamous Napa Valley maitre de and fixture, and this was easily the hottest spot in the Napa Valley.
To top this all off, Mama Ninas was know for its after hours, closed door … (6 comments)

Napa Valley Open Houses Sunday May 5, 2012 - 05/05/12 09:40 AM
Napa Valley Open Houses Sunday April 22, 2012
This is a new feature I will do every Saturday for those wanting info on open homes in the Napa Valley. For those wanting a map and more details, here is the link to the Napa Register’s open house page.
Napa Valley open houses May 5, 2012
… (3 comments)

Yountville, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update May 5, 2012 - 05/05/12 09:31 AM
Yountville, Napa Valley, Weekly Real Estate Update
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 0, price reduced 0, sale pending 1,  sold 1
Average prices, average days on market
current for sale           12 avg price $620,117; avg days on market 161
current sale pendings  6  avg price $758,017; avg days on market 66
sold in last 6 months    10 avg price $582,500; avg days on market 136
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none
Price Reductions none
Sale Pendings
1974 Adams St, $925,000, 3 br 3 ba, 2,195 sf
Solds
6750 … (0 comments)

Napa Valley and California Real Estate Fast Facts May 4, 2012 - 05/04/12 08:44 AM
Napa Valley and California Real Estate Fast Facts including short sales and bank owned (REO)
Napa County Residential Properties including condos/townhomes/manufactured homes (Source: BAREIS)
Listed for sale (474): lowest $55,000, highest $29,500,000, average price $1,539,657, median price $747,000, DOM 157 Contingent sale pending (339): lowest $62,500, highest $10,300,000, average price $467,217, median price $327,000, DOM 140 Sale pending (103): lowest $39,900, highest $1,396,000, average price $366,757, median price $298,000, DOM 85 Sold last 6 months (690):  lowest $62,000, highest $11,000,000, average price $516,939, median price $335,000 DOM 118 Total of all categories above: 1,503; 419 are short sales 27.9%; 234 are REO 15.6%; total … (4 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas May 3, 2012 - 05/03/12 10:39 AM
Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas
This is weekly feature post I will now do every Thursday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and around the Napa Valley. This way readers have a little more time to plan to attend one of these events. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
May 4 -- Napa Valley Educational Jazz Festival Live Music, Benefit: The fourth annual Napa Valley Educational Jazz Festival brings high school bands together to showcase the best of what they have to offer. Net proceeds … (2 comments)

May 2, 2012 Continued Tracking of Napa Valley Distressed Properties in the $800,000 to $2 Million Range, now 4 of 68 - 05/02/12 08:21 AM
Continued Tracking of Napa Valley Distressed Properties from $800,000 to $2,ooo,ooo
This is the continued tracking, started in July 2009, of the number of distressed sales (in foreclosure, a short sale or a bank owned property, REOs) for homes priced from $800,000 to $2,000,000 in the up valley region of the Napa Valley. By up valley I mean the Cities of St. Helena, Calistoga, Angwin, Deer Park, Oakville, Rutherford and the Town of Yountville and only those listed in BAREIS, my MLS. Today there are 4 distressed sales of 68 active listings in this price range with two of these in … (4 comments)

Napa Valley residential distress sales remain constant in March 2012 even though California pendings were up and distress sales were down - 05/01/12 10:27 AM
Napa Valley pendings at 248 in March 2012 but short sales and bank owned sales, REOs, are up
In March there  were 138 residential sales which includes single family and townhomes/condos. The 147 below includes manufactured homes. In March, of the 138 residential sales 27 were REO's, a 19.6 %, and 47 were short sales, a 34.1 %. Total distressed sales were 74, a 53.6 %. The current number of pendings which includes sale pending and contingent sale pending is 248. If all these close, which is unlikely, then this would be the highest since May 2011. The number of pendings as of … (1 comments)

 
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Curtis Van Carter your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire in Yountville

Yountville, CA

More about me…

Coldwell Banker Brokers ofthe Valley, Yountville Napa Valley

Address: PO Box 2905, Yountville, CA, 94599

Office Phone: (707) 944-0421

Cell Phone: (707) 815-8584

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